INJURIES IN MILITARY PARACHUTING - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF 4499 JUMPS

In this prospective study, the parachuting injuries which occurred dur ing 2031 jumps in basic courses of free fall were compared with the in juries occurring during 2468 jumps for reserve paratroopers on trainin g exercises. Fifty-eight injuries were recorded in 51 paratroopers. Th e ankle was mast commonly affected and 80 per cent of the injuries inv olved the lower extremity. Only 14 per cent of the injured troopers su ffered severe injuries (fractures, knee ligament ruptures). The injury rate for paratroopers on basic courses (19.7 injuries per 1000 jumps) was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than for those on training exer cises (4.5 injuries per 1000 jumps). Similar observations were made fo r severe injuries (2.0 versus 1.2 injuries per 1000 jumps, respectivel y). The injury risk increased with age. Most of the injuries occurred on landing, and about 70 per cent were mainly caused by improper landi ng fall technique. The rate of serious parachuting injuries was low fo r Norwegian paratroopers. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.